People often express surprise when they discover an immigration lawyer practicing in Damariscotta. Other reactions usually include either concern or curiosity about a field that is frequently in the news but sometimes people are just exasperated with the immigration situation today. Jennifer will discuss what it is like to practice immigration law and share her thoughts on the concepts, policies and trends that shape this field, both in Maine and the nation. She will also touch on the law itself, to share a sense of its complexities, surprises, and rewards.  

 

Jennifer is one of a handful of attorneys practicing immigration north of Portland. She originally moved to Maine after law school to launch a career in environmental law. Having made the Midcoast her home, her decision to shift into immigration law 10 years ago was not a decision to leave the area. She freely admits that building a practice here has been more challenging than it would have been in Portland or Boston, but with a family deeply rooted in this area, her practice had to be here or not at all. Jennifer lives with her family in Damariscotta and has been a Midcoast resident for 30 years. Raised in Harvard, Massachusetts, she has also lived as an immigrant in Newfoundland, Canada, and spent extended periods of time in Jordan, Kenya, the U.K., India, and Guatemala.

 
As an attorney at Gallagher, Villeneuve and DeGeer, PLLC Jennifer's immigration practice concentrates on family-based and humanitarian matters as well as naturalization. She serves clients locally and across Maine. Some are foreign nationals while others are US citizens or permanent residents sponsoring foreign nationals. In addition, she handles corporate, estate planning and family matters at this firm, for both area residents and Maine immigrants. Jennifer also provides business immigration support to Goeschl Law Corporation, a west coast firm (with Maine ties) serving the immigration needs of entrepreneurs and corporations.

Jennifer lives with her husband Mike Tatro, owner of Gammage Shipyard, and their children in Damariscotta. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Maine State Bar Association, and the Lincoln County Bar Association.

Chats with Champions is a free community offering from Skidompha Library at 184 Main St., Damariscotta. Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shops generously sponsors this program. For more information, please get in touch with the library at 207-887-0919.